OperaNS Database
Research type
Research Database
IRAS ID
329037
Contact name
Hani J Marcus
Contact email
Research summary
OperaNS - A database of Operations in Neurosurgery and Spine
REC name
East of England - Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/EE/0058
Date of REC Opinion
6 May 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion
Data collection arrangements
The OperaNS Database will collect and store data from adult patients undergoing brain or spine procedures at participating hospitals. The data will include information from before, during, and after surgery. This includes patient demographics (such as age and sex), clinical details (like symptoms, medical history and outcomes), and surgical factors (such as surgical video, procedure type and surgeon experience,).
To protect privacy, each patient will be assigned a unique ID, ensuring that personal details are not included in the central database. The data will be securely stored in the UCL Data Safe Haven, a highly protected environment that follows strict security standards. Only authorized researchers will have access, and all requests to use the data will be reviewed by a dedicated committee.
Patients will be asked for consent before their data is included. If they later decide to withdraw, their personal information will be removed. The database aims to improve surgical outcomes and advance research while maintaining high ethical and data protection standards.
Research programme
The OperaNS Database is designed to support a wide-ranging research programme focused on neurosurgical and spinal procedures. It will serve as a valuable resource for clinicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals aiming to improve patient outcomes and advance surgical techniques. The database will facilitate studies on disease risk, surgical outcomes, intraoperative techniques, and the development of advanced data analysis tools, including artificial intelligence applications. The research community benefiting from the database includes neurosurgeons, data scientists, and medical researchers from leading institutions such as University College London (UCL) and other participating centres. By integrating structured data (such as patient demographics and surgical details) with unstructured data (such as imaging and surgical videos), the database will enable innovative research that was previously difficult to conduct. Additionally, patient representatives and public engagement teams will be involved in shaping the database’s direction, ensuring research remains patient-centred and ethical. The OperaNS committee will oversee data governance and access, supporting both academic and clinical research efforts while maintaining strict data security and ethical guidelines. This initiative will not only contribute to medical advancements but also set a model for future research databases in other specialties.
Research database title
OperaNS - A database of Operations in Neurosurgery and Spine
Establishment organisation
University College London
Establishment organisation address
Wellcome EPSRC Centre for Interventional and Surgical Sciences
Charles Bell House, 43-45 Foley Street
London
W1W 7TS